"In terms of municipal planning by-laws, a block of flats cannot be used for holiday accommodation or hotel purposes. Any owner wishing to do short-term holiday letting from a block of flats, irrespective of the platform facilitating such letting - such as Airbnb or otherwise - must ensure the property is appropriately zoned, and must apply for consent from the city's development management department," Heron told Weekend Argus.

Houses and guesthouses on private property do not have the same restrictions.

According to airdna, there are over 9 700 listings that rent out the entire home or apartment, and at a cursory glance on Airbnb most appear to be apartments. The average price per night for two people in Cape Town is R903, and 61% of hosts list more than one property on the website.